Cabinet extends electricity relief to tourism sector till 1 March 2023

In a bid to support the COVID-hit tourism industry, the Government has further extended the concession period to settle electricity bills till 1 March 2023.

The proposal submitted by Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday. It aims to further extend the electricity bill concession by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to tourism entities registered with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Cabinet Co-Spokesman Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said yesterday that in the absence of the expected growth in tourism sector due to the spread of COVID-19 since April 2021, the Government favourably decided on the extension requested by the industry.

Earlier, from 1 March 2020 to 28 February 2021, tourism entities were given an electricity concession. This was further extended till the end of this year, whilst also adjusting the unit price of electricity in the hotel sector after comparing it with other industries.

Tourism Ministry sources said it will allow tourism industry stakeholders to pay all the outstanding accumulated electricity bills from March 2020 to 31 December 2021 in 36 installments, with effect from 1 January 2022.